CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year Emily Balmer (Damascus, Md., Damascus) tied the Queens University of Charlotte women's lacrosse game up at eight on a free-position-shot with 6:25 on the clock before Limestone College was able to net two goals in the closing minutes winning 10-8. The Royals end their season at 8-9 (4-3 CC) while the Saints (14-0, 7-0) advance to the Conference Carolinas Championship game being played tomorrow at 1 pm at the Queens Sports Complex.
Limestone's Racquel Prager got on a roll early in the game scoring two goals in the first five minutes of play. Amanda Martin (Geneva, N.Y. , Geneva) answered finding the back of the net for Queens making the score 2-1 with 24 minutes to go. Prager would strike again on a free-position-shot before the Royals scored two back-to-back goals tying the game up at three. Three more goals were scored by each team tying the game up at six at the half.
Conference Carolinas Player of the Year Chelsea Treat scored a goal in the first minute of period two putting the Saints up by one. Her goal was the only one scored in the first 15 minutes of the second half as no one could find the back of the net until Katie Farrell connected on a free-position-shot at the 13:33 mark.
Caitlin O'Rourke ( Winter Springs, Fla., Winter Springs ) soon responded scoring an unassisted goal with 13:20 remaining in the game. O'Rourke possessed the draw control after Farrel's goal and darted straight for the net firing the ball past Limestone's goalkeeper for her fist goal of the game. Balmer's goal would follow a little after just before Farrell's game winner.
The Saints outshot the Royals 30-to-26, while Queens won the possession battle winning 13 draw controls to Limestone's seven. Queens also scooped up 27 ground balls to the Saints' 18.
Martin and Jessica Rooney (Orlando, Fla., Timber Creek) led the Royals with two goals apiece. O'Rourke and Brittany Philip (Corning, N.Y., Corning East) each had four draw controls. O'Rourke also collected four ground balls. Balmer finished with four ground balls and two caused turnovers in addition to her one goal. Chelsea Lancashire (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Nease) took the loss in goal after tallying 12 saves.
Prager led the Saints with four goals while Farrell finished with two. Rashelle McLellan took the win in goal after getting 12 stops.
